Rainwater Death & Murder and Scanned Obituaries

Accidental Death
Adolphus Bernard Rainwater, 1881-1920, Georgia feb2010

Murder – Rainwater victim
Adam Benton Rainwater, 1860-1932, Missouri mar2010
Benjamin Franklin Rainwater, 1858-1886, Mississippi mar2010
Franklin Pierce Rainwater, 1892-1925, South Carolina feb2010
Howard Rainwater, 1875-1894, Alabama feb2010
James H. Rainwater, 1881-1904, Missouri feb2010

Murder – Rainwater Perpetrator
G. W. Rainwater and W. M. Rainwater, 1866, Mississippi mar2010
Ransom Edward Rainwater, 1857, Texas feb2010
William Brasher Rainwater, 1858-1897, Missouri feb2010
William Henry Rainwater, 1829-1880/1900, Texas mar2010

Scanned Obituaries
Old Obituaries (1870-1990) in PNG or PDF format
Contemporary (1990+) Obituaries in PDF or PNG format

Obituaries A-K and Profiles
Obituaries J-Z

Adam Benton Rainwater, 1860-1932, Missouri

Jefferson City Post-Tribune, Jefferson City, MO, 6 Jul 1932

Recluse is slain near Springfield
Springfield, MO., July 6 — (AP) — A. B. Rainwater, 72-year-old bachelor recluse, was found shot to death in his lonely farm home three and a half miles southeast of Pittsburg, Mo., Hickory County, at 11 o’clock last night. Coroner L. A. Glasco estimated that the old man had been dead 48 hours. A shotgun was found nearby.

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Adolphus Bernard Rainwater, 1881-1920, Georgia

Spartanburg Herald, Spartanburg, SC, 9 Nov 1920

Macon, GA — A. B. Rainwater, a switchman was instantly killed and three other white men were injured when two switch engines side-swiped each other in the Southen railroad yards here late tonight. Rainwater, who was standing on the pilot of one engine, was thrown under the engine wheels and his body badly mangled.

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Benjamin Franklin Rainwater, 1858-1886, Mississippi

Waynesboro News, Wayne Co., MS, 18 Aug 1886

Frank Rainwater, a farmer, found near Waynesboro last Friday not ten feet from his house, his body all riddled with buckshot.

Transcription provided by David Sprinkle

Franklin Pierce Rainwater, 1892-1925, South Carolina

Because of the length of these articles, they are being offered in scanned versions. The basic facts are these: On 20 August 1925, Franklin P. Rainwater, a furniture dealer from Cheraw, SC, was found by passers-by dead in his auto, which appeared to have run off the road. He had been shot four times and the gun had been thrown some distance from the car. These articles do not present a conclusive theory, other than murder, and do not include coverage of the trial, if there was one.

The articles, dated 21 August through 10 September, 1925, are from The Spartanburg Herald. Coverage starts with the original crime and ends with the preliminary hearing for one of the accused.

Some readers may find offensive the obsession with race in these articles.

George W. Rainwater and William M. Rainwater, 1866, Mississippi

Southern News Column, The New Orleans Times, New Orleans, LA, 26 June 1866

Mississippi – Murders Overtaken
On Sunday last, Mr. Joseph Loper arrived in town with George and William Rainwaters, the young men who brutally murdered his old father some time in April last in Wayne County. They were overtaken on Jorden River, near Thompson’s Mill. Before the committing officer, they confessed the deed, but said they were hired to do it. — Handsboro Democrat, 23.

Southern News Column, The Thibodaux Sentinel, Tibodaux, LA, 7 July 1866

Mississippi – Murders Overtaken
On Sunday last, Mr. Joseph Loper arrived in town with George and William Rainwaters, the young men who brutally murdered their old father some time in April last in Wayne County. They were overtaken on Jorden River, near Thompson’s Mill. Before the committing officer, they confessed the deed, but said they were hired to do it. — Handsboro Democrat, 23.

View the two versions of the story in the original.

While it is clear that these two men were accused of murder, it is not clear who was killed, whether they were prosecuted, and whether they were guilty. George W. Rainwater changed his name to Randle and moved to Texas. William is said to have done the same. See the entry on the myths page for the details of the controversy surrounding these issues.

Howard Rainwater, 1875-1894, Alabama

The New York Times, 12 July 1894

Fatal Duel in Alabama
Birmingham, Ala., July 11 — James Spears and Howard Rainwater, aged seventeen and nineteen years respectively, fought a duel in the woods near Liberty1 early this morning. The trouble grew out of a rivalry for the affections of a young woman. Rainwater was killed and Spears locked up. Both young fellows had been drinking.

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1 Dekalb County

James H. Rainwater, Jr., 1881-1904, Missouri

The Evening News, San Jose, CA, 7 Nov 1904

Young Man is Fatally Shot; Girl fires pistol from satchel
Carthage, MO, Nov 7 — Just as he was about to leave on the Missouri Pacific train for Kansas City this morning, Jim Rainwater was fatally shot through the stomach, by Pearl Sykes, a young girl. The shooting took place at the depot. Rainwater’s uncle having just purchased a ticket for his nephew to go to Kansas City where he was to enlist in the Navy. The girl fired her pistol from within a small satchel that she carried in one hand by putting the the other inside, raising up the satchel and pulling the trigger. She was arrested and is now in jail.

Ransom Edward Rainwater, 1857, Texas

Cherokee Sentinel, Cherokee Co., TX, 28 Mar 1857

Murder of Findley and Trail of Rainwater
The facts of the case as reveled by the investigators seem to be about as follows: H. M. Findley was a man about 60 years old, in easy circumstances, in Mississippi, where he had a family. In view of emigrating hither, he had purchased or rented a place and brought R. E. Rainwater with him, for which Rainwater was to make crop. Findley had told several persons of his intimacy with Rainwater’s wife, and finally made advances and propositions to her, using threats of violence to both her and her husband if she did not submit, of which she informed her husband on Thursday, and Saturday morning Rainwater rose from the table, took a double barrel shot gun and walked out, he said, to kill a squirrel. Findley finished his breakfast and walked out and sat upon the fence, preparing his pipe to smoke, when Rainwater discharged both barrels of his gun at him, which took effect and killed him instantly. He [Rainwater] has been tried and sentenced by a jury of his countrymen to fifteen years hard labor in the penitentiary.

Transcription contributed by David Sprinkle

Rusk Inquirer, Rusk Co., TX, 23 Mar 1857

A man named Findley was lately killed by Rainwater at Connor’s Mill about 10 miles below Alto in Cherokee Co., for boosting of having an intimacy with Rainwater’s wife.

Transcription contributed by the late Len Rainwater

William Brasher Rainwater, 1858-1897, Missouri

The New York Times, 23 March 1897

Whole family murdered: jealous farmer kills his wife, her relatives, and then himself

Kansas City, March 22 — Bee Rainwater, a farmer living in Orrick, Ray County, murdered his wife, his mother-in-law, Mrs. William Artman; Ethel Gentry, his step-daughter, and John Thurman1, a step-brother, and then blew his brains out, Saturday evening.

Saturday night, Rainwater went over from his place to the Artman house to visit his wife and children. He was annoyed by some dogs barking in the orchard, and said to Thurman: "Johnny, lets kill those dogs." Thurman took a shotgun and Rainwater a revolver and they left the house. When they had gone about fifty yards Rainwater without having said a word, shot him dead.

Rainwater then hurried back to the house. He had brought back the gun which Thurman had taken out, and this he leveled at Mrs. Artman’s head saying: "D--- you, I've got you all." Mrs. Artman threw up her hands as Rainwater fired, the charge of the shot carrying off every one of her fingers and the right side of her head.

He then shot his wife and stepdaughter. Afterward he reloaded the gun, and, going to the front of the house, shot himself.

Jealousy and a belief that his mother-in-law was interfering with his domestic affairs is believed to have been the cause of Rainwater’s crime. He and his wife had frequently quarrled.

1 One article gives this man’s surname as Thurman; the other article as Artman.

William Henry Rainwater, 1828-1880/1900, Texas

Jefferson Journal, Jefferson Co., MS, 21 Nov 1856 Vol XV #7
Fayette Watchtower published every Friday by Thomas Harper, editor and propriortor

MURDER — James East was killed at Caseyville, Copiah, Miss yesterday by William H Rainwater. No difficulty or hard feeling was known to exist between the parties. Rainwater took East aside to have a word and a gentleman who was near them had no intimation of any quarrel until the report of the pistol, when turning to the parties he saw East fall and Rainwater run off. The ball entered East’s head just above one of his eyes.

William was the husband of Mary Angeline Bailey, 1840-1912. Born in Mississippi, his parents are not currently known.

Transcribed by Glidie Rainwater Mobley from Mississippi State Archives Newspaper Collection Roll #M 106

Other Old Obituaries (1870-1990) in PNG or PDF format

Rainwater Surname
Ada Rainwater, 1882-1907, Washoe Co., NV
Ada Rainwater, 1905-1976, Columbia Co., WA
Bera Etta Stringfellow Rainwater, 1892-1988 Tallapoosa Co., AL
Bertha Rainwater, 1949, Dallas Co., TX
Cleo Rainwater, 1956, Dallas Co., TX
Dalton L. Rainwater, 1892-1949, Dallas Co., TX
Ernest W. Rainwater, 1900-1957, Dallas Co., TX
Ethel Helen Rainwater, 1905-1958, Dallas Co., TX
Frank D. Rainwater, 1876-1955, Dallas Co., TX
Fred Rainwater, 1893-1904, Columbia Co., WA
George A. Rainwater, 1971, Dallas, TX
Harvey A. Rainwater, 1929, Mexia, Limestone Co., TX
Harold M. Rainwater, 1895-1976, Columbia Co., WA
Harriett Goddard Rainwater, 1842-1938, Hamilton Co., TX
Hollis Chandler Rainwater, 1898-1977, Dallas, TX
Hosea Milton Rainwater, 1870-1953, Bell Co., TX
Jimmie Rainwater, 1912-1962, Skagit Co., WA mar2010
Kathryn Newell Rainwater, 1895-1960, Columbia Co., WA
Leonard C. Rainwater, 1885-1961, Spokane Co., WA
Lloyd N. Rainwater Sr., 1891-1972, Columbia Co., WA
Lois Rainwater, 26 Nov 1947, Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL mar2010
Lois Cannon Rainwater, 1904-1968, Tuscaloosa, AL feb2010
Luther Lee Rainwater, 1899-1957, Mineral Wells, TX
Martha Reba (Mrs. Ben L.) Rainwater, 1916-1960, Rome, GA feb2010
Mary Katherine Rainwater, 1969, Dallas, TX
Presley Rainwater, 1866-1946, Columbia Co., WA
Retha Casey Rainwater, 1955, Dallas Co., TX
Robert L. Rainwater, 1887-1982, Indianapolis, IN
Sarah Elizabeth Eledge Rainwater Allen, 1896-1987, Spartanburg, SC feb2010
Thomas L. Rainwater, 27 Aug 1968, Cape Girardeau, MO feb2010

Rainwater Maiden Name
Etta Rainwater Dale, 1879-1936, Columbia Co., WA
Delilah Rainwater Finkle, 1868-1921, Columbia Co., WA
Alice Rainwater Green, ca 1860-1945, Columbia Co., WA
Martha Susan Rainwater Neal, 1843-1932, Columbia Co., WA
Ellen Rainwater Robinson, ca 1860-1942, WA
Mattie Rainwater Burch Siler, ca 1889-1972, Bell Co., TX
Frances Rainwater Spoonemore, Jul 1950, Columbia Co., WA
Dollie Rainwater Thornton, 1901-1954, Goree, Knox Co., TX

Contemporary (1990+) Obituaries in PDF or PNG format

Rainwater Surname
Annette Cannon Rainwater, 2 Apr 2000, Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA
Avis Rainwater, 30 Aug 1997, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
Bobbie Jean Rainwater, 1937-2003, Jackson, GA
Bessie Melissa Rainwater, 20 Feb 1999, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
Brown Veazey Rainwater, March 1999, Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, FL
Carrie Leta Rainwater, 12 Nov 2000, Miscellaneous Lea Co., NM
Cecil Rainwater, Jr., 31 May 2005, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, IL
Clarabell Young Rainwater, 31 Oct 1999, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
Clois Miles Rainwater, 9 Jan 2010, Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home, Bonham, Fannin Co., TX
Clyde Rainwater, 23 Sep 2007, The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA
Dean Rainwater, 17 Oct 2003, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA
Dayle G. Rainwater, 16 Dec 2008, Dayton, WA
Dewey Wilbur Rainwater, 23 Jul 2003, Everett Herald, Everett, WA
Dorothy F. Rainwater, May 1999, Fostoria.org, Forstoria, OH
Dorothy Roots Rainwater, 3 June 2007, Central Kentucky News Journal, Campbellsville, KY
Fae Bailey Rainwater, 1994, Columbia Co., WA
Forrest A. Rainwater, 16 Aug 1999 Temple Daily Telegram, Temple, Bell Co., TX
Frances W(and) Rainwater, 9 Nov 1995, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Fort Worth, TX
Harvey L. Rainwater, 13 Jul 1998, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, TX
Hilman Rainwater, 19 Nov 2009, Belleville News-Democrat, Millstadt, St. Clair Co., IL
Inez Ward Rainwater, 30 Sep 2003, SE Missourian.com, Cape Girardeau, MO
Jack Pershing Rainwater, 22 Dec 2002, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX
James Rainwater (of Valdosta, GA), 15 Dec 2004, Enid News, Enid, OK
James Clay Rainwater, 14 Nov 2001, Central Kentucky News-Journal, Campbellton, KY
James H. Rainwater, Jr., 31 Aug 2000, East Oregonian, Pendleton, OR
James Kirk Rainwater, 10 Sep 2004, The Messenger, Hartsville, SC
Jetahn Floyd Rainwater, 8 Nov 1998, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
John Silas Rainwater, Jr., 25 Mar 2003, McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, Okmulgee, OK
Joyce Rainwater, 10 Jul 2001, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX
June Marie Cross Rainwater, 24 Aug 2001, Austin American Statesman, Austin, TX
Kenneth M. Rainwater, 10 Mar 2005, Lake Hamilton Voice, Lake Hamilton, AR
Larry Allen Rainwater, Sr., 4 Aug 1995, The Jonesboro Sun, Jonesboro, AR
Leonard Rainwater, 24 Jun 2007, death notices from the Austin American Statesman and San Angelo Standard Times
Lewellyn Dean Rainwater, 17 Oct 2003, Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Louise Rainwater, 16 Feb 2009, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, East Point, GA
Manford Rainwater, 28 Nov 1997, Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, NM
Marian R. Rainwater, 6 Apr 2005, The Chattanoogan, Chattanooga, TN
Marjorie Rainwater, 21 Jul 1998, The Standard-Times Online, San Angelo, TX
Mary Frances Rainwater, 29 June 2007, Selma Times Journal, Selma, AL
Mattie Lee Rainwater, 16 Apr 2001, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
Maudie Hand Rainwater, 1917-2004, Alexander City, AL
Myrtis Cox Rainwater, 9 Nov 1999, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
Nancy Jane McIlhaney Rainwater, 4 Feb 2010, Irving, TX, Genforum obituary
Ralph D. Rainwater, 20 Feb 2004, The Citizen, Fayette Co., GA
Raymond Carl Rainwater, 13 May 1997, The Standard-Times Online, San Angelo, TX
Richard Morris Rainwater, 26 Aug 1999, Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA
Robert Martin Rainwater, 15 Apr 1993, Gadsden Times, Gadsden, AL
Ruby C. Rainwater, 17 Jul 2001, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, TX
Sheryl Denise Rainwater, 3 Jan 2004, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX
Thelma May Rainwater, 12 Aug 2009, Washington Post, Washington, DC
Thomas Leslie Rainwater, 16 Mar 2005, Farley, Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek, MI
Velma Louise Rainwater, 11 May 2002, Amarillo Globe News Online
W. H. "Red" Rainwater, 5 Sep 1997, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, TX
William A. "Bill" Rainwater, 20 Nov 2004, Lampasas Dispatch Record, Lampasas, TX
William Albert Rainwater, 26 Jan 2004, Snyder Daily News, Snyder, TX
William David Rainwaters, 14 Aug 2001, Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID
William David Rainwaters, 14 Aug 2001, Daily News Online, Bowling Green, KY
Zella Tarter Rainwater, 28 Mar 2002, Commonwealth Journal, Somerset, KY

Rainwater Maiden Name
Ida Mae Rainwater Bulgin, 19 Jul 1999, Digital Missourian, Columbia, MO
OraNell Rainwater DeFrance, 12 Feb 2002, Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID
Belvadine Rainwater Gregory, 17 Jan 2001, Daily News Online, Bowling Green, KY
Dixie Rainwater Gregory, 1910-2000, prob. Midland Telegraph-Reporter, Texas
Alla May Rainwater Hale, 20 May 2001, Danville Advocate Messenger, Danville, KY
Mary Christine Rainwater Hildreth, 30 Jun 2007, Collinsville Herald, Collinsville, TN
Mary Ruth Rainwater Horner, 23 Jan 2003, Shinn Funeral Service, Russellville, AR
Myrtis Rainwater Keel, 1921-2005, Alexander City, AL
Ruby Rainwaters Keeton, 22 Aug 1999, Daily News online edition, Bowling Green, KY
Lucy Deane Rainwater Sutton, 16 Oct 2001, Austin American Statesman, Austin, TX
 

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